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This donkey was just saved from drowning in floodwaters:

It's NOT just Muslims, who fight violently for possession of "the promised land". In his book "The Struggle for the Birthright" Stephen Jones points out that Zionists used violence, and even terrorism, against the Palestinian people, in taking back "the land" for the Jewish people. The LORD made it very clear, thru Jeremiah the prophet, that presence with blessing, in "the land" was conditional, and was based upon obedience with heart submission towards God. Zionists fought their way into "the land" and sought to regain possession, WITHOUT the requisite submission. Today some 80% of Jews, in the nation called "Israel", are secular - having no belief. I personally do not believe GOD is on either side in that conflict. The US sided with Israel because (initially) we felt sorry for persecuted Jews. Then for many years she sided with Israel because it served her national interests to do so. More recently, presidents have tried a balancing act. Terrorism by Jihads has tipped the balance in Israel's favor once again. The conflict between Jews and Muslims has reached critical mass, with the acquisition of nuclear weapons. This WAR will not end until Christ returns. We know that! The question concerns how - individually - we Christians relate to those caught up in the war, because of their beliefs. Some in the Hebrew Roots or Messianic movements, repeat the admonition to "Bless Israel" and "Pray for Israel". I cannot personally focus such a prayer on the current nation called "Israel" any more than I could pray for the Palestinians to the exclusion of Jews. When I pray for "peace in Jerusalem", I'm praying for the return of Jesus, and the final END of all war. I'm NOT praying that the current nation called "Israel" will "triumph over her enemies". "Thy Kingdom come."

I agree with you Joe, on one level. I agree that most folks just want the same things - shared love, safety, security, prosperity for themselves and for their children, and finally an afterlife in the "good place". I will assume (I do assume) that most Muslims understand little of their own Islamic writings. Just as most who claim to be "Christians" understand little of what the Bible actually says. (It astounds me, how very little.) I see a large segment of "Muslims" moving AWAY from the hatred, and violence that their "religion" teaches. They see the result of war, and they just want peace and quiet, because war cuts into prosperity. And I see another segment staunchly teaching the original Jihad, against non-Muslims - clinging to "conversion" by force. The segment who just want peace and quiet - cannot quite give up the "convert the whole world by force" teachings, without some pangs of conscience. They're afraid they might go to the "bad place" in the afterlife. They're afraid their more "faithful" brethren will point them out as backsliders, or secularists, or worse - accuse them of colluding with the enemy. So - there's the problem with the "moderate Muslims". In our world, it is difficult to TRUST anyone. Advertisers, politicians, etc. etc. etc. LIE and misrepresent, in order to gain their objectives. So we learn distrust very early in our lives. It's just the world we live in. "Read the fine print." It is even more difficult for those of us who understand what the "prophet" Mohammad wrote, to TRUST Muslims. Why? Because we know that Mohammad said that it is perfectly acceptable to LIE to non-Muslims. So - if a person claims to believe Mohammad, and I am not a Muslim, then HOW do I believe something I'm told by a Muslim. My CODE says "Thou shalt not bear false witness." But their CODE says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness to another Muslim, and even then - if it advances the cause of Allah, it is acceptable." HOW do I relate to folks living under such a code? We do not share a common expectation, or law. The GOAL of the terror attacks in the US, is to separate - to cause non-Muslims to reject Muslims, thus separating the Muslims, forcing the Muslims then, to reject the non-Muslims, forcing them to return to Sharia and Jihad. What then should be our response - as Christians? Our neighbor may be a moderate Muslim, but he may be a Jihadist. Do we put aside our fears, (not reporting suspected activities) to show love for Muslims, thus (possibly) putting our family (and others) at risk? Where's the balance between "good sense" and "love thy neighbor" ?

If I, as a white man, were to make a general statement about African-Americans or Latinos, or Native Americans (Indians are from India) like this, I would be deemed as a racist. If this kind of rhetoric doesn't work both ways, it is racist.

Marrian, do you ever have any nice thing to say about anyone who is white? Ever? And you believe that no "hate" exists in the Democratic Party? Really?

You either live in a very different neighborhood or are having to reach back thru the years to make your point. I live in a small town,11,000, outside the larger cities. We are surrounded by several other small ti towns. Maybe we have a little utopia here as we have nothing as you have suggested.Around 9/11 we had a large influx of minorities move into our town and surrounding area. Human nature being what it is I am sure there are the neighborhood squabbles etc.However in general we don't have the racial tensions you ascribe to white neighborhoods. Neighbors are visiting with their minority neighbors.They work in the same positions locally as those other people(whites). So far a few muslims. They are not discriminated against. I don't know them but have had a few interactions with them in stores. Polite,friendly and considerate. I wouldn't have any problems with them as neighbors if first impressions are any indication. That changes when you get into the cities where there are large communities of muslims. Aside from the terrorist issue,they are rude,demanding and just downright nasty. Two acquaintances of mine have quit working in retail,the sole reason, muslim groups coming into shop.No attempt is made to honor the policies of the store or show even basic curtesy to staff. If the store was dealing with a group of muslim shoppers,the rest of us would go elsewhere. They push and shove to the head of the line and shout to make sure they are paid attention to on demand. In the cities they deal with just about any race or nationality. The muslims are the only ones that behave in that manner. The large community of Hmongs are altogether different . Acceptance and welcomes are a two way street. Respect is earned,not a right of the muslim community. A neighbor that lives three houses from me is a mexican immigrant. I don't know of anyone that doesn't like and respect him. He has a beautiful family,works hard and is an all around asset in the neighborhood. That wouldn't be the case if he were rude and belligerent. Generally respect,trust and consideration is earned,not automatically dispensed based on your language or skin color. When this community conducts themselves in a polite , considerate, and peaceful manner they might be pleasantly surprised

Trump is feeding the angst of the general public. The terrorists have hijacked the Muslim religion and claimed that what they're doing is for Islam...for Muhammed...for Allah. Where does the onus belong in presenting the truth about Islam? Is the onus on the general public? Or is it on the peaceful Muslim Imams and adherents? I know there have been statements made, but which are barely acknowledged by the media. But it's primarily the media that presents to the public, and if it's not done, then what? The public at large doesn't really have the wherewithal or inclination to research the religion. And, unfortunately, the Islamic religion has gotten a bad reputation by association: beheading in the name of Allah, mass shooting of innocents in the name of Allah, bombing of social events in the name of Allah, bombing & destruction of planes and passengers in the name of Allah. I think the public here would start feeling more comfortable if the Middle East nations, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, would make an effort to help the refugees, strongly condemn the terrorists, and help fight them — but I don't see that happening. The silence is deafening. All we've gotten are a few perfunctory sympathy calls. Until the West's perception of Islam is enlightened by the Muslims themselves in a strong and swift manner, it will be very difficult to change the public's hesitance in bringing new refugees.

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The rule is this: To understand the respectability of science one must understand the scientific process. Why? When you understand scientific process you understand the boundaries and limitations of science. In addition, you have the knowledge to evaluate whether or not a hypothesis has been properly tested and whether the conclusions reached by that testing are consistent with the scientific method.